Eryn Woods brings color, style to Pride

Pop-punk up-and-comer and fashionista Eryn Woods will be bringing her brand of color and style to this year’s Toledo Pride event.

The Shreveport, Louisiana, native has been in music almost all her life, and first began to learn to sing through vocal lessons and musical theater.

Eryn Woods. Photo courtesy Eryn Woods

“My family was really involved,” Woods said. “I was singing when I was 3 or 4 years old.”

After high school, Woods moved to New York, where she took jobs as a background singer and assisted with other performers. During this time, she met a music producer from Atlanta, ARC, and moved to his city to embark on a solo career.

Since then, she has released an album, “Holl.E.Woods,” and released several videos and singles, which have been featured on MTV and VH1.

Woods describes her music as “pop-punk,” a product of her personal interests and abilities.

“I have a more bubbly pop sound with my vocals, but the music around me is more edgy and hard.”

Woods cites many influences, including Cyndi Lauper, Missing Persons and Pat Benatar, as well as pop influences like Madonna and Gwen Stefani.

“No Doubt was a really big influence on what my music sounds like today.”

Woods is extremely open and involved with her fan base, whom she refers to as “Kupcakes.”

Her desire to interact with people, especially those who may feel like outsiders, fuels her ambition to make appearances at Pride events all over the country.

“This is going to be my 10th or 11th Pride event.”

“It’s really important to me, because of course, I really don’t look normal. What I stand for is all about individuality and being yourself, and loving you for who God made you to be. It’s OK to be who you are, and people will accept you for who you are, you just have to accept yourself first.”

Woods is also an advocate for the anti-bullying movement, and regularly makes appearances to spread the message.

“I’ve been to a lot of high schools and middle schools, and visited young people, had lunch with them, to chat with them.”

“One girl that I met felt like she was an outcast at her elementary school, which is really crazy, because back in the day at elementary school, I never really thought about things like that.”

Woods, who is known for her bright, colorful clothing and mohawk hairdo, understands what it is like to look different than what is considered “normal,” and wants to let others know that uniqueness is not something to be ashamed of.

“There have been so many deaths and suicides because of bullying. It’s really important to be able to go and visit these young kids and let them know that if they look different or their family isn’t rich, there’s still a place for them in this world.”

In fact, Woods has turned her unique fashion sense into a new branch of her career path, often taking modeling jobs and promoting clothing companies.

“I’m trying to make myself more into a brand, and not just a singer. I have so many goals for myself, it’s crazy.”

Wherever life takes her, Woods said she will continue to follow her heart.

“[My style] has always just been ‘me.’ No one’s ever told me to dress like this or act like this; it’s just always been how I feel and what makes me happy.”

Catch Woods at 9:30 p.m. Aug. 23 at Toledo Pride.

For more information and a full entertainment schedule, visit toledopride.com.